Do You Need a Realtor to Buy a House?

Technically, you do not need a realtor to buy a house. Especially for homebuyers, a real estate agent can seem unnecessary—after all, you can find and tour for-sale homes by yourself, right?

But that’s the process of looking for a house, not buying a house. And once you get into the weeds of navigating sales price negotiations, concessions, closing, paperwork, and everything else agents handle, you just might find that you want a realtor.

“There are 18 separate stages and 151 items in total that a buyer’s agent will handle in the course of a transaction. I actually wrote a book on it,” said Jeff Lichtenstein, a broker and CEO of Echo Fine Properties in Florida and author of the “Home ECHOnomics Buyer Guide.”

Paperwork and other logistics can be manageable with the right guidance, such as a real estate attorney. The real risk of working without a realtor is the unknown. For instance, offering too much for an overpriced home or mishandling inspection negotiations can leave you with painful regrets.

So, do you need a realtor to buy a house? It’s generally a good idea, but there are some situations where you might be ok without one. 

When you might be ok not using a realtor to buy a house 

Last year, only 12% of homebuyers chose not to work with a real estate agent.[2] While going it alone may be rare, it’s not impossible. Let’s explore some scenarios in which you may not need a realtor to buy a house. 

You have real estate experience or legal knowledge

If you’ve worked in real estate or purchased multiple homes, you likely do not need a realtor to buy a house. Most transactions follow the same process and require the same information, so you probably won’t encounter any surprises. Those with legal knowledge will also know how to navigate a contract, which can otherwise be confusing.

“I would only recommend this to an experienced investor or buyer who has bought several properties before in that particular area,” said Erin Hybart, a Louisiana realtor who, before getting her real estate license, bought a home without an agent’s help. 

You’re buying directly from someone you know

If you’re purchasing a home from a family member or friend, where trust is high and the price is already agreed upon, you can usually forego using a realtor, said Erik Leland, a real estate broker at Realty First in Oregon.

You may not need a realtor to buy a house in a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) transaction either. In these situations, you’re both negotiating on your own behalf and can often come to an agreement on price and terms. 

You have time to handle showings, research, and paperwork yourself 

Looking for and buying a home takes work. From scheduling showings and researching available properties to completing paperwork, it’s a lot to manage. But if you’re an organized person with the time to invest, you might be able to swing it. Most of the resources you’ll need are available online.

You can search for properties on sites like Zillow or Realtor.com, which pull from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). DIYing a comparative market analysis (CMA), which estimates a home’s value, is certainly doable and can help you decide how much to offer. You can also find paperwork templates online through your state’s real estate commission. 

The home is new construction 

For a new-construction home, particularly one in a planned subdivision, the builder’s agent can facilitate the purchase. In this case, you’re typically only negotiating items such as paint colors, flooring, countertops, and other finishes; the price and terms are set.

In 2025, about 16% of transactions were for new builds, a slight increase over the previous year.[3] Most buyers choose this route to avoid renovations or major repairs. If you’re buying from a reputable builder, there’s far less risk involved. 

You’re comfortable negotiating and understand contract terms 

If your haggling skills send salespeople running, you can probably handle negotiating a purchase price. Just be sure you understand who pays for what first.[4] Sellers typically cover closing costs, and most will offer concessions for repairs.

As the buyer, you’ll be responsible for preparing the initial sales contract (also called a purchase agreement). This is another form you can often find online through your real estate commission or realtor’s association. But even if you feel comfortable working with a contract, it’s still a good idea to have a real estate attorney review it. 

When you should use a realtor to buy a house

There are some circumstances where you do need a realtor to buy a house. After all, a buyer’s agent is there to protect your best interests.

“Their years of experience with things that have gone wrong matter,” Hybart said. “A good agent knows what questions to ask, who to ask, and how to get the right information from the right people.”

If these situations apply to you, consider finding a real estate agent to buy a house: 

You’re a first-time buyer unfamiliar with the process 

Buying a home may seem like an easy process, especially if you’ve taken the steps to get pre-approved for a mortgage and know how much you can afford to spend. But if this is your first time, you may not know where to start.

A buyer’s agent will outline the process for you. They’ll help you set a buying timeline and budget, so you stay on track, and they'll guide you until you’ve found the home you love. 

You don’t have time to coordinate showings, research, and paperwork

There’s so much more to buying a home than touring properties, although scheduling showings with sellers also takes significant time. Buyers must coordinate the lender, inspector, appraiser, and title company if they don’t have a realtor to do it for them.

“In my office, we have a whole team specifically because managing those moving parts is a circus,” said John Gluch, a real estate coach at Gluch Group.

A real estate agent has the knowledge and contacts to handle the process efficiently. They’ll also provide you with a CMA to help you make a competitive offer and prepare all the necessary paperwork needed at closing.

The market is competitive, and you need strong negotiation 

Unless they’re in a pinch to move quickly, sellers are unlikely to accept your first offer—especially if they have other interested buyers.

“The listing agent with the sign in the yard works for the seller,” Gluch said. “Their job is to get the seller the most money and the best terms.”

But good news: a buyer’s agent’s job is to do the same for you. Not only will they keep you from overpaying for a home that needs work, but they’ll also help you write up an offer that’s too good for a seller to refuse. 

You’re relocating and don’t know the area 

A realtor is a crucial guide if you’re moving to a new city or state, as few people will know the ins and outs of the area better. An agent can point you toward the trendy neighborhoods where home values are rising. They can also help you find the right amenities for your family, whether you want lots of restaurant options or the best schools.

You’ll also need to know your new state’s real estate transaction laws and your new city’s zoning laws, which could take significant research on your own. A local realtor will be an expert. 

You want protection from legal/contract mistakes 

Most people try to buy without a realtor to save money on the commission fee. But if you’re not comfortable with legal jargon and end up breaching the sale contract, you could have to forfeit your earnest money deposit. Worst-case, you could face lawsuits from the seller. All of this could end up costing you a lot more than commission would—especially if the seller of the house is willing to cover it.

“Without the knowledge base of a professional, there are countless ways a buyer can lose money and get themselves into all sorts of trouble,” Lichtenstein said.

Realtors work with contracts and other legal documents every day. They also have a network of real estate attorneys to call on if things get tricky. Their expertise can provide serious peace of mind in this transaction. 

Are there any alternatives to not using a realtor to buy a house? 

Your only options aren’t to hire an agent or go it alone. There are some alternatives available: .

• Look for a home buyer rebate: Some agents offer home buyer rebates—a portion of their commission, a percentage of the home’s purchase price, or cash back. Say a brokerage offers you one-fifth of the agent’s 2.75% commission. On your $400,000 home purchase, you’d get about $2,200 back.
• Try a FSBO transaction: These sellers can be more open to negotiating, especially if they’re trying to sell quickly. Just be sure to get the home inspected and appraised to uncover hidden damage and ensure you don’t overpay.
• Hire a real estate attorney: An attorney or transaction coordinator can help with paperwork, contracts, and closing. Just know that their help and expertise will be limited to legal tasks.They don’t help with things like scheduling showings or negotiating pricing.

Ready to buy a house? Get pre-approved at Best Interest Financial to make a strong offer within your budget. Best Interest Financial also partners with Clever Real Estate to match customers who charge just 1.5% to list your home and offer up to $500 cash back in homebuyer rebates. 

FAQ about buying a house without a realtor